Akting Out

I’ve been in the Midwest for about six years now. Although I’ve been away from my native California for more than a decade, the West Coast way of life is still very fresh, and my adversarial nature used to get me in a lot of trouble out here as I refused to adapt.

I also got into more trouble here than I did anywhere else in the country. I still can’t go back to Michigan.

You don’t hear a lot about hockey, NASCAR, or hunting where I’m from; while I’m not vehemently opposed to any of that, it makes casual conversation difficult. Mostly, I sit, listen, and learn; I can now change my own oil and gut a deer.

In the end, despite the starkly different ways of life, I can’t get enough of this place. I complain and bitch and moan to my friends, but it’s mostly for show. I like it here.
Back in Michigan, in between the towns of Bad Axe and Elkton, there was a well that produced the best water I’ve ever had to date. I would drive two miles just to fill up as many bottles as I could. I recently learned that the well was artesian.

Try as I might, I just don’t worry about much here. There’s not a ton of violence here (but plenty of gossip). Beyond the occasional idiot who’s seen too much MTV, people are pretty friendly, after they get used to you.

I have to admit a slight envy at the comaraderie; everyone is somehow connected, through marriage or family. I always grin when two people are talking and mention someone that they both know, although neither of them knew that the other person knew that person…

I go through moments where I wish I was a part of it…but I didn’t grow up here, and I’m too different. I’ll always be the lone wolf, and I’ve come to be okay with that.

I like it here. I wouldn’t go back to California even if I had the chance. Yeah, it’s slower, and there isn’t much to do…but somehow, it feels like home.

And the cooking is GREAT.

(c) Avery K. Tingle for Akting Out LLC

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